Gareth: I want shot at Europe

Gareth Southgate has spelt out his ambition to play Champions League football before he hangs up his boots as he prepares to try to dislodge Sol Campbell and Rio Ferdinand as England's first choice defensive partnership.

Gareth Southgate has spelt out his ambition to play Champions League football before he hangs up his boots as he prepares to try to dislodge Sol Campbell and Rio Ferdinand as England's first choice defensive partnership.

Southgate has recently been linked with moves to Newcastle United and Manchester United as the two clubs look to reinforce at the back.

He is too diplomatic to comment on such speculation and insists that Middlesbrough have progressed in the right direction since moving there from Aston Villa in the summer of 2001.

But the desire to play against the creme de la creme of Europe still burns brightly for Southgate who believes he is in the best form of his career.

Southgate said: "It is frustrating that I have not played more European football. You want to test yourself against the best and that means Champions League football. It hasn't been the case.

"You can't have everything. A lot of players have played European football but maybe have not as much international experience as I have. In an ideal world you would have the lot.

"I don't think there is a player who retires without something that is not quite as they would have liked. Roy Keane has won everything but would still have liked to played against Bayern Munich when Manchester United won the Champions League final."

Southgate added: "I am a Middlesbrough player and I don't think it would be right for me to comment on anything that is proposed.

"I came to the club with a view to help the club to progress and I think they have done that. With the team we had, we have probably just had an acceptable season.

"But to play in the Champions League is still an ambition for me. When you are involved with England you realise again and again how much those big nights mean."

Southgate admits that a lack of Champions League football may have stopped him from collecting more than his 53 caps.

He said: "I think if you play in the Champions League it helps you. Your profile is higher and as a player it keeps you that little bit sharper as well. You are playing more competitive matches. The Premiership is a different style of game.

"Not playing in the Champions League counts against you but for the right reasons because I think it is an understandable reason for the manager to say `these guys are playing big, big matches every time and are sharper for it'. I think it is right."

Nevertheless Southgate will be looking to impress Sven-Goran Eriksson as England's senior outfield player at 32 in tonight's friendly international against Serbia and Montenegro at Leicester City's Walkers Stadium.

It has only been when either - or both - Ferdinand and Campbell have been injured that the one-time Crystal Palace trainee has been in the first 11 in recent times but now he is in the middle of possibly starting three games in a row.

Southgate said: "I think the boss has always stuck with Rio and Sol when fit and I've accepted that.

"They've done very well when they have played together. If I was one of those two, I would feel very aggrieved if I was left out. They've not let anyone down in any way.

"But them not being here does give me a chance to play and that's a great feeling. I have to grab my opportunities when they come.

"This is the reason why you hang in there and you accept the knocks, the lows of not being involved in the World Cup.

"I always say that your opportunity comes around if you hang in there long enough and it has for me. That is why I am here.

"If I start against Serbia and then against Slovakia, then I will have played in five of the seven games this season. That is pretty positive for me."